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Zero weekends to learn 20+ songs?

Mar 11, 2013
461
595
Easthampton, MA
Disclosures
Formerly endorsed by Carvin, Basson and Dimarzio
So, I'll start with the background. I have an extra rig lying around and just bought some licenses for Guitar Pro for myself and my bandmates to provide an arena we can write and collaborate on outside of formal practices. I've been interested in joining a cover band for that side income/experience that comes from playing a long set list/learning a whole lot of material to expand my musical knowledge.

I got in touch with a working band that fits my schedule. About 3 gigs a month, decent pay, established in all the right places. Had a brief conversation with the BL last week after he sent me an example setlist, and he explained that the band all have lives outside the band, he doesn't expect it to be a primary income type gig... A lot of stuff I agree with. I asked him when I could audition, and he asked if I could come in on that friday (it was wednesday afternoon), I told him I'd need more time because I had to learn the material. I asked him to give me a list of 7-8 songs that I could audition with and see if I fit in with the band, feeling confident that I could nail 40 minutes of material. He responded with 'Ok, I'll choose 15 songs'. Ok, whatever, I'll learn as many of them as I can and bring what I'm confident with.

Then the weekend comes. I put myself in a woodshop mindset. And I never get a response from him with any songs.

Finally, on Sunday night, he emails me asking if I could come in this Friday and asks me what songs I knew from the list he originally gave me. I sent him back a shortlist of the songs I've picked up here and there. He told me he would get back to me with the list he wants for Friday.

And now it's Monday, with no response yet. My last email to him was asking to differentiate which artist's versions he was using (all of the titles on the list he gave me were shorthand, and the song 'Good' could be literally anything). At the end of the email, I told him if I didn't hear back from him with a list, I would work on the first set only.

Already feeling a little bit disrespected. The BL seemed very excited when we talked because I am younger (28) and the only people who've been contacting him are older guys and he wants to keep the band on the lower 30s side. He says it's a band where everyone has a professional life, but now he expects me to woodshop during my work week where between work, gym, and commuting, I only have about 2-3 hours a day to practice. Again, do-able for 7-8 songs, but 15-20?

I set up an out for myself when I talked to him, saying I would confirm everything on Wednesday, so they wouldn't be sitting on their thumbs waiting for a Craigslist bassist who wasn't going to show up (based on my own experience with CL tryouts) but I also want a reason to expand my repertoire and make a couple bucks while doing it.

Are these already red flags or am I being too self-centered?

TLDR: I asked for at least a weekend to learn material for an audition, because of my work schedule. BL agrees and then doesn't supply material to learn. Now in the week of the audition, still no material has been provided.
 
are these red flags? yes, although it depends on what you're looking for, too. are you being too self-centered? well, you do seem to be making how the BL behaves about you, but honestly he's probably behaving the way he generally does. he's not being disrespectful - he's just flaky.

me, i'd have just told him i'd learn a few songs from the setlist and gone with that since he didn't ask you to learn any particular songs.

but his weird communication and getting things mixed up? very likely that's who he is. assuming an audition even happens, it's who he's going to continue to be. can you deal with that without feeling angry or frustrated, and do you want to deal with it? i wouldn't want to myself, but some people might be fine with it.
 
Yes, those are red flags. They might not be deal breakers once you get in, but then...

For one thing, no one needs a person coming to an audition to play fifteen songs. Nor 7-8. You can tell after three if the person can play or not, and that's really all you need to know.

Secondly, good communication and being organized are an important part of what makes a band work. Doesn't sound like this guy scores to high on that front.

It might still work out, but I would explore other options and not lose too much sleep if this one flakes out.

It's reminding me a bit of this one group. I started offering myself as a sub a few months ago, and so far only one group has taken me up on it. They directed me to their website which has a song list on it. Great, I know most of those. Then, I think it was a week before the first gig with them, they send a set list of 40 tunes. Not more than 15 of the songs on the website are on it, and there are maybe 10 additional ones I already knew. Had to woodshed the rest in a week. Then I had a second gig with them a week or two later - and they send a DIFFERENT set list, with more tunes I don't know. No rehearsals with the group for any of this. I learned it all, made a cheat sheet and made it through the gigs. A couple months later they ask me if I want to be a permanent member of the band. Uhhh... no thanks.
 
It really depends on the songs.
If they are of the 'just commit them to memory' type, you can learn a lot of them in a short time.
If they are tricky and need to be practiced, that is a lot to ask in a short time.
Maybe that dude wants someone who can play these songs just like that, and keeps you on a tight timetable on purpose?
 
So, I'll start with the background. I have an extra rig lying around and just bought some licenses for Guitar Pro for myself and my bandmates to provide an arena we can write and collaborate on outside of formal practices. I've been interested in joining a cover band for that side income/experience that comes from playing a long set list/learning a whole lot of material to expand my musical knowledge.

I got in touch with a working band that fits my schedule. About 3 gigs a month, decent pay, established in all the right places. Had a brief conversation with the BL last week after he sent me an example setlist, and he explained that the band all have lives outside the band, he doesn't expect it to be a primary income type gig... A lot of stuff I agree with. I asked him when I could audition, and he asked if I could come in on that friday (it was wednesday afternoon), I told him I'd need more time because I had to learn the material. I asked him to give me a list of 7-8 songs that I could audition with and see if I fit in with the band, feeling confident that I could nail 40 minutes of material. He responded with 'Ok, I'll choose 15 songs'. Ok, whatever, I'll learn as many of them as I can and bring what I'm confident with.

Then the weekend comes. I put myself in a woodshop mindset. And I never get a response from him with any songs.

Finally, on Sunday night, he emails me asking if I could come in this Friday and asks me what songs I knew from the list he originally gave me. I sent him back a shortlist of the songs I've picked up here and there. He told me he would get back to me with the list he wants for Friday.

And now it's Monday, with no response yet. My last email to him was asking to differentiate which artist's versions he was using (all of the titles on the list he gave me were shorthand, and the song 'Good' could be literally anything). At the end of the email, I told him if I didn't hear back from him with a list, I would work on the first set only.

Already feeling a little bit disrespected. The BL seemed very excited when we talked because I am younger (28) and the only people who've been contacting him are older guys and he wants to keep the band on the lower 30s side. He says it's a band where everyone has a professional life, but now he expects me to woodshop during my work week where between work, gym, and commuting, I only have about 2-3 hours a day to practice. Again, do-able for 7-8 songs, but 15-20?

I set up an out for myself when I talked to him, saying I would confirm everything on Wednesday, so they wouldn't be sitting on their thumbs waiting for a Craigslist bassist who wasn't going to show up (based on my own experience with CL tryouts) but I also want a reason to expand my repertoire and make a couple bucks while doing it.

Are these already red flags or am I being too self-centered?

TLDR: I asked for at least a weekend to learn material for an audition, because of my work schedule. BL agrees and then doesn't supply material to learn. Now in the week of the audition, still no material has been provided.

Weird, maybe even really rude, but none of the "red flags" matter if you go to audition and they accept you based on whatever amount of stuff that you have ready. Just see what happens. Hopefully they know they didn't live up to their end so far.

If they give you grief about song shortage despite their dropping the ball and leaving you hanging then it would be time to walk. Or if they reject you, just accept it knowing that it's them, not you.
 
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Depends on the songs he sent you, I think. If I was looking for bassist for MY working cover band, I'd want to get an idea of what he/she already knows ... and not just what he/she can learn in a week ... and I'd have an expectation that certain songs are just part of the bar band standard repertoire.
 
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Red flags a plenty here...tread carefully. I had a guy with a part time country band get ahold of me a few weeks ago. He wanted to know if I could do some dates he booked his group for this summer.
I said send me a setlist and the dates and I can tell you more. I never got either from him then he disappeared on my email for a week.

Just the other day he sends a pushy email wanting to know if I was still committed and doing the shows. I again said where are the dates and setlist? He then replied asking me to drive one hour to where he lives to just "talk about" the band.
Ummm..No! I told him to get lost.
 
Are these already red flags or am I being too self-centered?

TLDR: I asked for at least a weekend to learn material for an audition, because of my work schedule. BL agrees and then doesn't supply material to learn. Now in the week of the audition, still no material has been provided.

I see your point. But as a BL myself, I know how ruddy tedious it gets to always be sending songs, video links, and for me, charts, to new members. After 6 years, in my case, it becomes a hassle. Also, you start taking the musicians ability sort of for granted. Used to playing with really good players no matter what happens, it can be easy to be lackadaisical about doing your part on the charts, songlist, etcetera. So, I would put it down to this being routine for the guy. Also his faith in your abilities...

If he's held the band together for a long time, and has a lot of gigs, etcetera, he's probably OK to work with.

In saying all this, I'm not condoning what he's done -- he's left you in a lurch. But I would be accommodating at this point. Make whatever sacrifices you need to get into the band. If there is a need to learn new songs in the future, be more assertive -- but in this case, you still don't have a firm relationship, so it's best to be accommodating.

If you want to take charge, I wouldn't have a problem indicating that yeah, like everyone else in the band you've got lots going on, so if he doesn't mind, you'll just prepare these songs and be ready for them. Since it's so late in the game now. You can talk face to face about other songs when you get together if need be. don't come across as a PITA immediately, even given this guy's deficiencies. YOu need to get to know him first before you make that judgment.
 
Hard to say. I learned 15 songs in a week for an audition, and 45 in a month to get ready to gig (none of them I-IV-V-I tunes). I've been given a set list of 60 to scrape together in a week (sub gig) - some I knew, most I did not. Fortunately, most of those were simple songs.

See how it goes, and then you decide if it is worth it.
 
I see your point. But as a BL myself, I know how ruddy tedious it gets to always be sending songs, video links, and for me, charts, to new members. After 6 years, in my case, it becomes a hassle. Also, you start taking the musicians ability sort of for granted. Used to playing with really good players no matter what happens, it can be easy to be lackadaisical about doing your part on the charts, songlist, etcetera. So, I would put it down to this being routine for the guy. Also his faith in your abilities...

Yeah, This is sort of what I was thinking in the back of my head. I'm new to this game, and from what he told me on the phone, it sounds it's a pretty competitive gig.

He sent me the list today. Most of it is not so bad, the easier pop punk songs. But he's put some Sublime and Uptown Funk on the list, so I'm thinking he wants to make sure I've got the chops :bassist:.

I think I'll start with a couple easy ones, but make sure I can nail the harder stuff, and then add a few (hopefully all)more easy ones on at the end.

Either way, I'm not somebody who makes myself a problem in band situations, so I'm happy to give this a go :cool:. especially since both responses were both "Chill out!"
 
Yeah, This is sort of what I was thinking in the back of my head. I'm new to this game, and from what he told me on the phone, it sounds it's a pretty competitive gig.

He sent me the list today. Most of it is not so bad, the easier pop punk songs. But he's put some Sublime and Uptown Funk on the list, so I'm thinking he wants to make sure I've got the chops :bassist:.

I think I'll start with a couple easy ones, but make sure I can nail the harder stuff, and then add a few (hopefully all)more easy ones on at the end.

Either way, I'm not somebody who makes myself a problem in band situations, so I'm happy to give this a go :cool:. especially since both responses were both "Chill out!"

Glad he sent it. I try really hard to treat new people really well for the very reason you are writing here. Don't want to make a bad impression, and want them to be resliant in case I have to make a withdrawal in the relationship for some business reason (rarely happens, but I don't want to use up all my "passes" on my own personal incompetence).

Let's hope this pans out for you!
 
Life's short. It it was built broken, then it wasn't meant to be. I would learn enough to have a "getting to know you" audition, because, you are right. If the chemistry ain't there, or it 's obvious it doesn't have potential for getting there, or at least being "do-able", why would you wast precious time boning up on 20 songs when you could discover what you need to know in 3. Ok, maybe 8...
 
Lots of sound advice here so far.

Sounds like typical band (lack of) communication to me.

I just wouldnt go out of my way learning anything obscure on the setlist just yet. Start with the songs you don't know that are most likely to be useful for other bands. Worse case is you learn some new tunes for future projects.
 
Depends on the songs he sent you, I think. If I was looking for bassist for MY working cover band, I'd want to get an idea of what he/she already knows ... and not just what he/she can learn in a week ... and I'd have an expectation that certain songs are just part of the bar band standard repertoire.

This. I am thinking the guy wants someone who already knows a chunk of the material. Alot of these "cover band" guys just kind of expect you to know certain songs as standards. Sort of like a jazz jam, people calling well known standards that are just expected material.

This is just a theory that he is essentially kind of testing you. He may fairly well not be, and is just a bad communicator. Hard to read really. I would just audition with what you know and see what happens.
 
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Gong to an audition unprepared because of their not getting stuff to you early enough? Well, if it doesn't work out, it's not really your fault, and you can move on. You might find out that the vibe still works (things just click) despite "not enough prep", and in that case, go with the flow.

I've auditioned folks for bands where we did original music. I'd write the chord structure of a song on a whiteboard, go through it a bit, then we'd all play. With zero real prep (we didn't send out stuff in advance, as we hadn't copywritten it yet), we still were able to find people that worked for us.

It's an adventure. Take a shot.
 

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